Apparatus for recovering the constituent solids of liquids and semiliquids.



0 L. G- & I. S. MERRELL & W. B. GERE. APPAEATUS FOR RECOVERING THE CONSTITUENT SOLIDS 0F LIQUIDS AND SEMILIQUIDS'.

- APPLICATION FILED JULY 15,1907.

1,000,931 Patented Aug. 15, 1911.

' UNITED STATES ra run'r curios.

LEWIS C. MERRELL IRVING S. MERBELL, A 1\TD \VILLIAM B. GERE, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO MERRELL-SOUI 1E COMPANY, OF SYRACUSE, *NEW YORK, A.

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

7 I I i i I I APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING-THE CONSTITUENT SOLIDS OF LIQUIDS AND SEMILIQUIDS.

Patented Aug. 15, 1 911.

, Original application filed August 29, 1906, Serial No. 332,515. Divided and this application filed July 15,

1907. Serial No. 383,739.

To all wlwm 'ic concern.-

Be'it known that we, LEWIS C. MERRELL, luvnva S. LIERRELL HIId WILLIAM B. Gnun,

of'Syracuse', in the county of Onondaga, in

the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Recovering the- Constituent Solids of Liquids and Semiliquids, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description. I

Tliis invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for.1 'eco\-'ering the constitiunt solids of liquids and semi-liquids in thewform of a substantially dry powder,

3 and contemplates a rapid and continuous separation of the moisture of the solids of any liquid or semi-liquid containing highly organized substances without changing the physical or chemical structure of the solids, as set forth in our application No. 332,515, filed, August 29. 1906, oflwhich this is a division. In other words, we have sought to provide an apparatus whereby-the solids of animal or vegetable liquids or semiliquids may be speedily and economically reduced to a substantially dry condition, and still retain all of their original physical and chemical properties, so that by the addition oi the same amount of moisture as removed,

such solids may be reconstituted into a liquid or semi-liquid possessing all of the characteristics of the original liquid or semiliquid.

- In order to carry out these specific objects the apparatus involves theuse of a desiccating chamber: means for pre-concentrating a more or less tractin r part of the moisture, orby increas ing the proportion or percentage of solids and then introducing such concentrated substance in a finely divided state or spray into the desiccatinc chamber in the presence of a forced current of heated air or equivalentmoisture-ab orbent; means for removing moisture from the absorbent while in transit to the. desiccating chamber; means for expand ng by heat the super-dried absorbent uponits entrance into the desiccating receiving a heating agent, as steam,

chamber for the purpose of increasing the avidity of the absorbent and thereby not only accelerating the speed of movement of the nmisture-absorbing air, but also causing an accelerated evaporation of the moisture of the finely divided particles or globules with sufficient rapidity to produce a cooling etlect upon the constituent solids which preserves them from impairment and permits j the absorbent air or gas to be commingled with the constituent solids under a much higher temperature than would be possible under a slowly moving current or air or. if part of the moisture of such air were not extracted prior to its 'introductidn into the desiccating chamber.

Other objects and uses relating to the means for collecting the dry solids separate from themoisture laden air will be brought out in the following description.

In the-drawings we have shown a sectional view partly in elevation of an apparatus embodying the various features of our invention.

The material to be treated is supplied through a valved pipe- 1, preferably heat-insulated, to a concentrating chamber 2-, having a heating chamber 3, for through a valved plpe 4. A minus pressure is maintained in the dome, as 5, of the concentrating chamber by means of'one or more pumps ,-6-., aided by a condenser 7,' which is connected to the pumps by a pipe -8 and to the dome by a pipe -9. The condenser -(7, is, in this instance. provided with a pendant pipe 10.

of sufficient length so that thecondensed water therein is capable of substantially counterbalanclng atmospheric pressure to maintain a. predetermined degree of minus pressure in the dome of the chamber, irrespective of the pum s, the excess condensed water-seal -ll, "at the lower end of the pipe -10. The minus pressure must be 'water' being allowed to escape through a sufficient to cause cbullition and consequent separation and removal of moisture from 4 the liquid at a predetermined temperature at which the liquid isto be concentrated.

This temperature varies according to the nature of the material, as for example, certain albuminous liquids must be concentrated at a temperature of 138 F., or less,\

to prevent coagulation. The liquid is constantly supplied to the concentrating chamher 2, and the moisture-vapor, produced by the ebullition, caused by the heating agent in conjunction with the minus pre's sum, is continuously drawn into the condensing chamber .7-, and discharged, as

' water, through the water-seal -117 or reduced moisture-content.

through the pumps 6, as may be desired; The liquid, freed from part of 'itsmoisture, is continuously withdrawn from the bottom of the chamber-2', through a pipe -12, by a pump 13- the ebullition serving to thoroughly mix the inflowing liquid with; that already in the chamber so that the outflowing liquid is of uniformly The strengthening chamber 2', has a pressure-gage .4', and a thermometer 15, to enable the attendant to maintain ebullition and regulate the temperature to avoid impairment of the solubility, color, flavor and other natural characteristics of .the

solids which it may be desired to preserve.

The chamber 2 -,'is also provided with a sight-glass 16, to enable the attendant 'to observe the ebullit-ion and maintain a uni form quantity of liquid within, by regulatingthe inflow and outflow, thereby producing a practically uniform reduction in the moisture-content of the outflowing liquid. The outlet of the chamber --2- is providedwith a suitable regulatingvalve l7-, and a two-way draW-ofl cock -18.-, the latter serving, in conjunction with the valve-17- to permit samples of the outflowing liquid to be withdrawn, from time to time, for examination.

The discharge pipe 12, pump -13-,

.and appurtenances are preferably heat-insulated and deliver-the liquid into a reservoir -19, preferably heat-insulated, thereby conserving the heat and enabling the i introduction of the liquid, through pipes througha conduit 25 into the desiccat are caused simultaneously with a moisture-absorbing lngagent as dry air, pressure device, as

with a rotary gate 'ing chamber, intersecting the path of the inflowing liquid spray; the intense-evaporation produced thereby upon thespher cal surface of the particles, causing a cooling eflect upon their solids. The air, either before or after entering the pump- 24, is

preferably passed through a drying chamber .26-, in this instance, supplied with a cooling medium by means of Which part of the moisture of the'air may be percipitated by condensation, and the air is then heated and, expanded by a heater 27, thereby -materially increasing its desiccating power and avidity for moisture previous to its introduction into the desiccating chamber.

The drying chamber 26-, is provided with a stand-pipe 28, having a valve 29- which is closed, upon the initial introduction of'air into the drying chamber, to prevent the escape of the air to atmosphere through the stand-pipe 28-, and opened as soon as suflicient water has collected in the drying chamber to. fill the stand-pipe, which is tall enough to hold a column of. water capable of substantially counterbalancing the air pressure within the drying chamber, whereupon. the excess of water is free to drip continuously from the open end of the stand-pipe.

Part of the dry powder resulting from desiccation may gravitate into a receptacle -30, having anoutlet -31, provided 32-, which may be operated manually, or by any available power to automatically discharge the dryproduct into a receptacle -33 while the moisture-laden air is passed through an airpervious screen, as boltingcloth which practically confines within certain limits the balance of thedry solids so that they may be collected and removed automatically, or at the will of the attendant. These solids may be separated from the moisture-laden air in a rotary dust-collector, consisting of, r

in this instance, four tubular screen-partitions 3 1, communicating through 'dpenings 35, with the interior of the desiccating chamber, each tubular screen having its outer end closed by a head 36, which is movable radially against the action of springs 37-. This dust-collecter is rotated intermittingly, one-quarter turn at a time, by suitable gears 38, one of which,

as the driving gear, is mutilated in such manner as, when rotated continuously, to cause the openings 35 of the screen-pa rtitions, to be successively brought into registration with the open side of a receptacle -39, in which is movable a screw conveyer 40, for the purpose of removing the powder into a chute 41, whence it may discharge through a self-closing valve 42, into a receptacle (not shown) The mutilated driving gear 38', permits the screen-partitions, to remain at rest while one her," is discharging cut off from the desiccating chaminto the receptacle 39- and the others, in communication of them,

' with the desiccating chamber, are permltis removed, partly by agitation, and partly by suction, the agitating means consisting of a'bea-ter -'43, acting upon the heads 36,'through the medium of a spring -44, and an operating rod -45-, which is actuated by a revolving toothed rack -46, on the main driving shaft, as -47'-L This tobthed rack is mutilated in such manner as to actuate the beater, while the screenpartitions are at rest, and to cease such I partition is action immediately. before the next quarterrotation of the dust-collector. The removal of the powder from the discharging screen-" facilitated by a suction-pump -48-, having its inlet communicating with the interior of the receptacle 39-, and its outlet communicating, through a conduit 49-, with the interior of the desiccating chamber, the mouth of the chute -,-41-,

being provided -with -a self-closing valve 42-, to prevent neutralization of the suction. k

In some instances, the moisture-laden air is returned to the drying chamber -26-', whence, 1ts-mo1sture having been reduced, it

is again introduced into the desiccating chamber, and for this purpose the dust-00L.

lector is inclosed in a suitable casing 50, having an outlet 5lterminating in three branches, '-52, -53.' and -54, the branch 52, leading to the inlet of the pump 24, while the other branches 53 and 54., communicate with atmosphere. At the junction of these branches, is placed a rotary valve or gate -55, which may be adjusted to open communication between the outlet --51-, and

the branch 52-, cutting off communica tion between the pump 24 and atmosphere, -or such valve may be adjusted to open communication between the outlet --5l, and atmosphere, through the branch 53, and to establish similar communication between the branch --52- and the branch 54 said valve being adjustable to any intermediate position to open communication between both the pump, and the interior ofthe casing --50-, and atmosphere.

The pump, 23, is connected, through a valved conduit, to the conduit -25 to enable dry heated air from the drying chamber 26, to pass into the pump spraying devices 22, said pump being also connected to the conduit 'i25--'-, by an auxiliary valved conduit, -56-, avoiding ature, and it may whence it may be forced through the the heater 27-. By adjusting these i valves to admix the dry heated air with the dry cool air, air of any desired temperature may be 22-, or atmospheric air may be drawn through a supplementary valved conduit -57-. e It may be desired to separate from the colloids, the crystalloids of liquids, like buttermilk and whey, which contain milksugar and albumen, and to treat either crystalloids of colloids separately, so the pipe -1 is connected to a reservoir -58'-, which may receive liquid, through valved pipes -59, from one or both comfurnished to spraying devices partments of a dialyzing-vat -60-, which is also adapted to dischargeits contents, through valved pipes 61--, into reservoir -19, for direct'desiccation.

The material in the reservoir -58--, may 'be' heated by suitable heating coils 62-,- adapted to receive a heating agent,'as steam, through a valved inlet pipe -63-. supply-pipe leading from the reserv' -58-, is also connected by a valved pipe --64-, to one of the pipes -61-, which is preferably heat-insulated. The temperature of the liquid may be raised in reservoir -58 nearly to the predetermined temperthen be introduced into the chamber -2, or, by closing communica tion-with chamber 2-, the heated liquid diailyzed may be passed atonce iii-to reservoir -19 Y for desiccation, as above set forth.-

Upon the intrtiduction of the air into the desiccating chambefQ-its temperatureis considerably reduced by the rapid vaporization I of the moisture-content of the spray, so that air of a very high temperature may be introduced to desiccate liquids, the solids of which would be impaired if heated to such temperature in the original liquid state; as,

for example, in the desiccation of milk, air

of a temperature of from 300 F. to 400 F. 1

may be used successfully, the air being reduced in temperature by the vaporization ofthe moisture, to from F. to 200? F., both of these latter temperatures being above the coagulating point of the milkalbumen, but below the temperature at which milk-sugar i's caramelized, without impairing in any degree the physical structure of the solids.

Air lower in temperature than normal atmospheric air, may be introduced into the desiccating chamber, the heating device then serving, without heating said air above normal atmospheric temperature, only to expand .it and increase its desiccating power, after it has been cooled and dried in the drying chamber; as, for example, nitrogen-fixing bacteria may be cultivated in sterilized skim milk and this liquid sprayed into and commingled with dried air at a temperature of, for example, 65 F. thereby original chemical or ra e recoveringithe bacteria alive and of unimpaired .strength mingled with the milk solids.

Liquids containing fats or oils either in natural or emulsified state, in the presence of a suitable substance, as albumen,

may be desiccated without causing the oleaginous constituent to be rendered or meltedout,

owing to thecooling eflect produced on the solids; as, for example, the butterfat in cream retains its original globular form when the cream is reduced to dry powder, or castor oilmay be emulsified with arabic and the liquid reduced to a dry pow der, so retaining the oils that the powder'is not greasy. The temperature of the air withwhich the dried powder comes in contact is preferably, but not necessarily-, be-

low the melting point of the oleaginous 'constituent; as, for example, milk, containing its full natural butterfat constituent, may be reduced topowder' which, when dry, may be exposed-to temperature as high-as 212 F.

withoutchanging the globular form of its butterfat. The removalof. the moisture and consequent cooling of the solids are accomplished in such instantaneous manner as to prevent self-impairment of the solids owing to the concentration of, for example, active non-volatile constituents; as, for illustration, lactic'acid inmilk is prevented from combining appreciably with the salts of the milk during the etgaporation of the moisture and consequent concentration of the acid. 7

What we claim isz 1. An apparatus for recovering the-constituent solids of liquids in the form of a dry power comprising a desiccatin chamber, means for spraying the liquid into the desiccating chamber, means for condensing the liquid prior to its passage through the sprayer, mechanical meansfor forcing a current of air into the desiccating chamber to commingle with the finely divided liquid particles, means for extracting part ofthe moisture from the air while in transit to the desiccating chamber, further means for heating the partially dried air and additional meansfor collecting the dry solids from the moisture laden air. I

2. An apparatus for recovering'the-com stituent solids of liquids in the form of a dry powder comprising a desiccating chamber, means for spraying the liquid into the desiccating chamber, mechanical means for forcibly introducing a desiccating agent into the desiccating chamber l agent, separate means for returning the p p to commingle with the fine1y divided liquid particles, means for recovering "the dry solids sepa: rately from the moisture-laden desiccat ng desiccating agent to the desiccating chamher,- and further means for extracting moisture from the desiccating agent while in transit to said chamber. I

3. An apparatus for. recovering the constituent solids of liquids or semi-liquids in the form of a'dry powder, comprising means for removing part of the moisture from the liquid to thicken the liquid, a desiccating chamber into the desiccating chamber in a -fin'ely divided state, additional means for introducing a desiccating agent into the desiccating chamber to commingle with said finely divided liquid particles, and" means to collect the desiccated product separately from the moisture laden desiccating agent.

5. In an apparatus for recovering the constituent solids of liquids and semiliquids in the form of a dry powder, a desic-, eating chamber having separate outlets, one

moisture laden desiccating agent, and a moving dust collector having .a plurality of? screens successively-communicating with the A:

, outlet for the desiccating agent and having means to permit the escape'of said agent to atmosphere. and to prevent the escape of the dry solids.

' 6. In an apparatus for recovering the confor the dry solids and the other for the stituent solids of liquids and semi-liquids in 'i the form of a dry powder, a deslccating chamber having separate outlets, one for the dry solidsand the other for the moisture laden desiccating agent, and a moving dust collector having a plurality of screens successively communicating with the outlet" for the desiccating agent and having means to permit 'the'escape of said agent to atmosphere and to prevent the escape of thefdry solids, and mechanical means for removing the dry solids from the dust collector separately from the moisture laden desiccating agent. V

7. In an apparatusfor recovering th onstituent solids of liquids and semi-liqufiin the form of'a dry powder, a desiccating chamber having an outlet for the moisture laden desiccating agent,-=moving means for preventing the powder from escaping through said outlet and permitting the escape of the desiccating agent therefrom, and

mechanical means for removing the powder thus collected.

j In an apparatus for recovering the agent, a

constituent solids of liquids. and semiliquids, a desiccating chamber having separate outlets, one for the powder and the other for the moisture laden desiccating screen for collecting any powder which maybe carried by said agent, mechanical means for removing the powder from the screen collector, and separate me= chanical means for removing the powder from the powder outlet.

9. In an apparatus for recovering the constituent solids of liquids and semiliquids in the form of a dry powder, a condensing chamber for the liquid, means :ior heating the liquid prior to its introduction into said chamber, means for drawing the liquid from the condensing chamber, a des1 ,iccating chamber, means for introducing said condensed liqu'idin afinely divided state into said chamber, means for introducing a moisture absorbing air into said chamber and further means forcollecting'and removing the dry product separately from the moisture laden desiccating air. v

10. In an 1 apparatus for recovering the constituent solids of liquids and semi-liquids in the form of a dry powder, a heating. chamber for receiving the liquid, a condensing chamber connected to. andreceiving the liquid from the heating. chamber, means for removing the vaporized moisture from said condensing chamber, a desiccating chamber connected to and receiving the concentrated liquid from the condensing chamber, means for finely dividing the liquid upon its introduction to said desiccating chamber, means for/ introducing a moisture absorbing air into said chamber, and means for collecting thevdesiccated product separately from the air and moisture.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, a desiccating chamber having an inlet and an outlet for the desiccating agent, a housing inclosing the outlet, a receptacle between the outlet and housing, a plurality of moving screen pockets successively communicating with the outlet and receptacle, for receiving and confining the powder and discharging the same into said receptacle, and per'mitting'the escape of the moistureladen desiccating agent into the housing, said housing having an outlet to atmosphere. 1% In an apparatus of the class described, a desiccating chamber, a condensing chamber and means for introducing the liquid in a finely divided state intq said. desiccating cham and an outlet for moisture absorbing air, a plurality of screen receptacles successively communicating with the outlet, and means for removing the powder from said screen receptacles when out of communication with the outlet.

Y 13. In an apparatus for recovering the constituent solids of liquids and semi-liquids er, said chamber having an inlet .in the form of a dry powder, a condensingchamber, a desiccating chamber, means for introducing the liquid in a finely divided state into said chamber, means for introducing a moisture absorbing air into said chamber, said chamber having separate outlets, one for the dry solids and the other for the moisture-laden air, and a dust collector communicating with the outlet for the desiccating air, means for cleaning said dust collector, and means to permit the escape of said agent to atmosphere, and means to prevent the escape of the dry solids.

14:. In an apparatus for recovering the constituent solids of liquids and semi-liquids in theform of a dry powder, a condensing chamber, a desiccating chamber, means for introducing the liquid in a finely divided state into said chamber, means for intro-e ducing a moisture absorbing air into said chamber, said chamber having separate outlets,- one for the dry solids and the other for the moisture-laden air, and a dust collector communicating with the outlet for the desiccating air, means for cleaning said dust collector, and means to permit the escape of said agent.to vent the escape of the dry solids, and means for removing the dry solids from the dust collector.

15. In an apparatus.for-recovering. the constituent solids of liquids and semi-liquids in the form of a dry powder, a condensing chamber, a desiccating chamber having separate outlets, one tor the dry solids and the other for the molsture laden desiccating agent, and adust collector having a p'lu rality of screens successivelycommunicating with the outlet for the desiccating agent and having means to permit the escape of atmosphere, and means to pre-' 'saidagent to atmosphere and to prevent the I escape of the dry solids.

16. An a paratus for recovering the constituent sollds of liquids in the form of a dry powder comprising a chamber tor condensing the liquid, means for withdrawing the liquid from the condensing chamber, means for supplying heat to said chamber and means for creating a minus pressure therein, a desiccating chamber having means afor'supplying heated air thereto, means for divided state injecting the liquid in a'finely' into said desiccating chamber, 'aplurality .of' outlets for air and moisture communicating successively with said desiccating chamber, screens covering said outlets, means for removing dry powderifrom said screens, and an outlet for the dry powder I separate from the air and moisture.

17. An apparatus for recovering the" constituent solids of liquids in the form of a dry powder comprising means for concentrating the liquid, means for withdrawing the liquid from the condensing chamber, a

desiccating chamber having means for supplying heated air thereto, and means for inber and means for withdrawing the liquid from the condensing chamber, a desiccating chamber having means for supplying heated air thereto, means for injecting the liquid in a finely divided state therein, a plurality of screened outlets'for air andmoisture connecting intermittently with saidvdesiccating chamber and means for removing the dry powder from said screens, allowing it to collect separate from the air and moisture.

l9. Anapparatus for recovering the constituent solids of liquids in the ,form of a dry powder comprising means for condensing the liquid, means for withdrawing the liquid from the condensing chamber, a desiccating chamber having means for introduc-.

ing the condensed liquid into said chamber in .a finely divided state, means for forcing heated air into the desiccating chamber to commingle with the finely divided particles and additional means for collecting the dry solids separate from theair and moisture' 20. An apparatus for recovering the constituent solids of liquidin the form of a dry powder comprising a desiccating chamber, means for spraying the liquid into the desiccating chamber, mechanical means for forcibly introducing a desiccating agent into the desiccating chamber to commingle with the finely divided liquid particles, means for recovering the dry solids separately from the moisture-laden desiccating agent, separate means for returning the desiccating agent to the desiccating chamber, means for extracting moisture from the desiccating agent while in transit to said desiccating chamber, and means for heating the dried desiccating agent before its entrance into said desiccatingchamber.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 13th day of July 1907.

LEWIS c. MERRELL. IRVING s. MERRELL. WILLIAM B. GERE.

Witnesses:

H. CHAsE, HOWARD P. DENISON. 

